Storylines: MIAC football Week 5

September 27, 2012 - 8:17 PM

GAME OF THE WEEK

Bethel at Augsburg, 1 p.m. Saturday: The two unbeaten teams will battle for a continued share of first place in the MIAC standings. Bethel (3-0, 1-0 MIAC), ranked No. 10 in the d3football.com poll, has allowed just 14 points in three games this season and is eighth in Division III in total defense. Augsburg (3-0, 2-0 MIAC) has been led by freshman QB Ayrton Scott. Scott, who ranks sixth in Division III in total offense (359 yards per game), leads the MIAC in passing TDs (10), rushing yards per game (160.3) and rushing yards per attempt (7.9). It is the third consecutive season the Auggies have started 3-0.

WEEK 5 STORY LINES

Johnnies' start: St. John's, which plays host to St. Olaf on Saturday, is off to an 0-2 start in the MIAC for the first time since 1983. Last Saturday, in a 31-21 loss to Concordia (Moorhead), Johnnies quarterback Connor Bruns was forced out of the game by a shoulder injury. Nick Martin, a freshman from Wayzata, came off the bench to complete six of eight passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Martin is also the Johnnies' punter.

NSIC newcomers: The two new members of the NSIC have had quite different experiences in their first season in the league. Sioux Falls is 4-0 and debuted in the AFCA Division II poll at No. 25 this week. The Cougars, who defeated Bemidji State 21-5 last Saturday, play host to Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday. Minot State is 0-4 after losing 26-20 at Upper Iowa last Saturday. The Beavers play host to the University of Mary on Saturday.

St. Thomas: After a bye week, the Tommies will try to extend their 27-game regular-season winning streak. The Tommies (3-0, 1-0 MIAC), who are ranked No. 3 in the AFCA Division III poll and No. 5 in the d3football.com poll, travel to Northfield on Saturday to take on Carleton. Carleton (2-1, 1-1 MIAC) is coming off a 52-14 loss to Bethel last Saturday. The Knights, who were 2-8 in 2011, have already equalled last year's victory total.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Richard Haley, RB, Minnesota-Crookston: The 6-0 senior from Detroit leads the NSIC in rushing with 563 yards. Last Saturday, Haley, who led the NSIC with 1,556 yards last year, ran for a career-high 238 yards to help the Golden Eagles end a 39-game losing streak in the NSIC with a 33-28 victory over Southwest Minnesota State.

Aaron Roth, WR, Minnesota-Duluth: The 5-9 sophomore from Plymouth is second in Division II in kick return average. Roth, who is averaging 39 yards per return, returned a kickoff 92 yards for a TD in the Bulldogs' 42-34 victory over Augustana last Saturday. It was the second kickoff Roth has returned for a TD this season. Roth has also caught 12 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns.

BY THE NUMBERS

3 Interceptions by St. Cloud State DB Jack Moro in the Huskies' 24-19 victory at Wayne State. Moro returned one of the interceptions 17 yards for his first college touchdown.